OT: New Music?

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:20 am

Can someone describe to me what "EMO" stands for? I was over at Rhapsody and saw Fallout Boy Boy under EMO?

I must have hit the generation gap because I don't seem to get some of the new music coming out?

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 2:37 am

No !!! ask the kids in the tight pants and scruffy black hair.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:47 am

JRod wrote:Can someone describe to me what "EMO" stands for? I was over at Rhapsody and saw Fallout Boy Boy under EMO?

I must have hit the generation gap because I don't seem to get some of the new music coming out?

Emo = sh*t mope pop-rock by 20-something losers who have no reason to be depressed

Take care,
PK

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:53 am

JRod wrote:Can someone describe to me what "EMO" stands for? I was over at Rhapsody and saw Fallout Boy Boy under EMO?

I must have hit the generation gap because I don't seem to get some of the new music coming out?

emotional hardcore....but it has morphed into crap-rawk.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:33 am

Emo is self-indulgent, angst-ridden tripe performed by people who have somehow managed to stumble into James Taylor's oeuvre without ever actually hearing James Taylor, and delivered to an audience too sullen to notice

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:58 am

Form the explainations given, it sounds like they just renamed grunge to EMO.

Badger_Fan · Post by **Badger_Fan** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:00 pm

Not a new music thing at all, but I know that some of you might be interested. I finally found the two Lifter Puller albums that are out of print. As some of you might know, Lifter Puller was basically the precursor to the Hold Steady. If anyone here is interested, send me a message and we can find a way to get them to you.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:16 pm

JRod wrote:Can someone describe to me what "EMO" stands for? I was over at Rhapsody and saw Fallout Boy Boy under EMO?

I must have hit the generation gap because I don't seem to get some of the new music coming out?

It's Robert Smith on uppers.

Matt, you should try to listen to Opeth's Damnation. It's a brooding, complex, quiet "metal" album that avoids the death vocals. My brother gave me a copy and I really like it.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:16 pm

Brando70 wrote:Matt, you should try to listen to Opeth's Damnation. It's a brooding, complex, quiet "metal" album that avoid's the death vocals. My brother gave me a copy and I really like it.

I will give that a try. I love complex music, as long as it's not complete wankery. For whatever reason, Opeth is a band I have not yet gave a listen to, but I keep reading good things about them.

Another band that is complex, brooding (but not doomy, slow brooding) and quiet (by metal standards), I highly reccomend Pain of Salvation. The music and vocals are complex and very emotional. There are a lot of political themes in a certain number of their songs. I'd classify them as a mix of metal and Tori Amos (even though it a male singer). They really are hard to pin down to a single genre.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:27 pm

I think everyone needs to hear Buried At Sea's Migration. It came out in 2003, but I'll be damned if it isn't one of the heaviest things I've ever heard. If you can make it past the five minute mark, it opens up into some beautiful brooding atmospheric doom. Yet when they go all out, it is incredibly punishing. Caveat: some cookie monster vocals, but they are indistinct and just fill in space in the wash of pounding noise trying to break your head.

I had to laugh the first time I heard them, the same way I do on roller coasters; anything that hair-raising and uncomfortable must be met with laughter or my brain revolts at the reality of the situation.

And again, check out Jesu, which is metal for non-metal fans. Closer to My Bloody Valentine and the shoegazers of the early nineties than anything I've heard in a long time.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 3:32 pm

I'll second (or is it third now) the Opeth recommendation. I'd also toss in Dimmu Borgir, Epica, Green Carnation, and Amon Amarth. They all contain some cookie monster vocals but also a nice blend of clean vocals that are top notch.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:20 am

Picked up the new Bloc Party album, A Weekend in the City. I was really reluctant to because I've probably played Silent Alarm more than any other disc over the last two years. I expected disappointment.

I'm not disappointed, though. This isn't as good as the debut. It's pretty slick where the previous one was more jagged. It's so earnest it should almost be called A Weekend With Jim Varney. The music breaks no new ground and the lyrics at times seem straight out of a marble composition pad. And yet I keep wanting to listen to it and like it better each time I do.

At the very least, their drummer absolutely rocks.

EZSnappin · Post by **EZSnappin** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:10 am

Brando70 wrote:It's so earnest it should almost be called A Weekend With Jim Varney.

Single best line I've seen in a review this year. Excellent, excellent work.

My take on Bloc Party is "Love the drummer. The other guys? Not so much." Glad you like the album.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:53 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJRSG95-WEU

great version of an old song

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:03 am

LOL

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/un ... uitar_riff

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 4:27 pm

Got my mitts on Wilco's upcoming album, "Sky Blue Sky," last night.

The band streamed the entire record at 256 kbps last Saturday night on its Web site, and, of course, someone ripped the stream and made it available at the usual sources. Since Wilco is my favorite band, how could I resist?

I've listened to the record, oh, at least five times since last night. It's really, really cool and a different direction for the band.

"Sky Blue Sky" is decidedly more low-fi than "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "A Ghost is Born," but it's not a return to the alt-country roots of "A.M." or "Being There." Not even close.

This is the first Wilco studio record with avant-jazz player Nels Cline as lead guitarist, and the sonic difference from previous recordings is very obvious. There is some VERY cool guitar noodling on this record, the best of any Wilco album by far.

And this noodling fits within the quieter, "pretty" nature of this record. When you cut it to brass tacks, many of the songs on "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost Is Born" were folky songs drenched in sonic devices and gimmicks. The records really weren't as avant-garde as critics would like us to believe, but they were still damn good. I dug them!

Cline's work blends into the songs better than the sonic devices of the last two records. Those tended to jar the senses, almost screaming, "LISTEN TO ME, DAMN IT!" Cline's work is more subtle, and it takes a few listens to digest all of it and appreciate it.

When I say this is a "pretty" record, Wilco fans shouldn't fret. Jeff Tweedy hasn't gone Sarah McLachlan on us. This is just a more relaxed record than the last two records. Under Cline's guitar work, some of the cuts on this record also sound as if they could fit on a Tweedy solo record. Unlike everything from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and before when Tweedy shared creative vision with Jay Bennett, there's no question who's in charge on this record.

"Sky Blue Sky" proves that Tweedy and Co. remain restless when it comes to music. After two albums of similar sound, the band has moved on to its next phase. And I like it.

I'm enjoying the hell out of this record. Admittedly, I'm not the most objective source when it comes to Wilco!

Standout tracks so far: "You Are My Face," "Impossible Germany," "Side With the Seeds," "Walken," "On and On and On."

The album is due for commercial release May 15.

Take care,
PK

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:38 pm

pk500 wrote:Got my mitts on Wilco's upcoming album, "Sky Blue Sky," last night.

The band streamed the entire record at 256 kbps last Saturday night on its Web site, and, of course, someone ripped the stream and made it available at the usual sources. Since Wilco is my favorite band, how could I resist?

I've listened to the record, oh, at least five times since last night. It's really, really cool and a different direction for the band.

"Sky Blue Sky" is decidedly more low-fi than "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" or "A Ghost is Born," but it's not a return to the alt-country roots of "A.M." or "Being There." Not even close.

This is the first Wilco studio record with avant-jazz player Nels Cline as lead guitarist, and the sonic difference from previous recordings is very obvious. There is some VERY cool guitar noodling on this record, the best of any Wilco album by far.

And this noodling fits within the quieter, "pretty" nature of this record. When you cut it to brass tacks, many of the songs on "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and "A Ghost Is Born" were folky songs drenched in sonic devices and gimmicks. The records really weren't as avant-garde as critics would like us to believe, but they were still damn good. I dug them!

Cline's work blends into the songs better than the sonic devices of the last two records. Those tended to jar the senses, almost screaming, "LISTEN TO ME, DAMN IT!" Cline's work is more subtle, and it takes a few listens to digest all of it and appreciate it.

When I say this is a "pretty" record, Wilco fans shouldn't fret. Jeff Tweedy hasn't gone Sarah McLachlan on us. This is just a more relaxed record than the last two records. Under Cline's guitar work, some of the cuts on this record also sound as if they could fit on a Tweedy solo record. Unlike everything from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and before when Tweedy shared creative vision with Jay Bennett, there's no question who's in charge on this record.

"Sky Blue Sky" proves that Tweedy and Co. remain restless when it comes to music. After two albums of similar sound, the band has moved on to its next phase. And I like it.

I'm enjoying the hell out of this record. Admittedly, I'm not the most objective source when it comes to Wilco!

Standout tracks so far: "You Are My Face," "Impossible Germany," "Side With the Seeds," "Walken," "On and On and On."

The album is due for commercial release May 15.

Take care,
PK

Sounds VERY interesting. Thanks PK.

BTW...I also just picked up a recommendation from here...(can't remember who it was from and am too lazy to look back) but it was for the band Menomena and the album Friend or Foe. Wow! Great stuff, very interesting listen and what a cool produciton!!!

They sound like a cross between TV on the Radio, Flaming Lips, 90 Day Men and Death Cab for Cutie (if that makes any sense at all).

I also just got the new Arcade Fire album it it is great. I liked their last album but this one is much more realized and mature. Very cool and different. At times it sounds like a Bruce Springstein album.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:48 pm

Since I was on a Wilco bent, it's worth mentioning that Son Volt's new album, "The Search," is strong. Son Volt is fronted by Jay Farrar, who fronted Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy before their breakup spawned Son Volt and Wilco.

I don't think "The Search" is as strong or poignant as the band's superb debut, "Trace," from 1995. But it definitely has that trademark Son Volt sonics while also introducing some new sounds for the band.

Other new records that I've really enjoyed lately besides Wilco, Son Volt and Lucinda Williams:

Air -- "Pocket Symphony" (More cool retro mood music from the French duo)
Albert Hammond Jr. -- "Yours to Keep" (Nice melodic jangle-pop from The Strokes' guitarist)
Patty Griffin -- "Children Running Through" (What a voice, reminds me of Emmylou Harris)

Need to get my mitts on the new Ry Cooder, Joey DeFrancesco and Wynton Marsalis albums!

Take care,
PK

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:27 pm

pk500 wrote:"Sky Blue Sky" proves that Tweedy and Co. remain restless when it comes to music. After two albums of similar sound, the band has moved on to its next phase. And I like it.

I also tracked down this record last night. Your impressions are much more detailed than I can give after one listen, but I definitely agree with your overall assessment.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:33 pm

Just listened to the new Arcade Fire again. Wow!!! This is a great album, front to back. Have a feeling this will be in the rotation for a while. Give it a try, seriously!!!

Anyone agree or am I losing it???

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:43 pm

Spooky wrote:Just listened to the new Arcade Fire again. Wow!!! This is a great album, front to back. Have a feeling this will be in the rotation for a while. Give it a try, seriously!!!

Anyone agree or am I losing it???

agree.

awesome older live set:

http://www.bradleysalmanac.com/blogger.html

npr has a great LIVE show too!

AJColossal · Post by **AJColossal** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:32 pm

It's funny that all the reviews have said the new Arcade Fire is a difficult album, but everyone I know who's heard it says it's great.

Definitely picking that up.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:39 pm

I think I'm going to pick up the Deluxe Edition next week.

I'm an Arcade Fire whore, but a broke one at the moment.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 12:05 am

AJColossal wrote:It's funny that all the reviews have said the new Arcade Fire is a difficult album, but everyone I know who's heard it says it's great.

Definitely picking that up.

Man, I don't think it's difficult at all. It's a really good listen. I thought "Funeral" was a tougher listen than "Neon Bible" because it dealt with a heavier subject and seemed more melancholy to me than "Bible."

"Neon Bible" is an album in every sense of the word. As Spooky said, it's not a record where you just cherry-pick tracks. It really needs to be listened to from start to finish to appreciate.

But difficult? Hell, no. I thought TV on the Radio's "Cookie Mountain" was difficult because of the sonic chaos, which didn't click with me like so many others. But just because "Neon Bible" has a lot of different instruments doesn't mean they all mesh together beautifully and powerfully, because they do.

I must admit, I wasn't on The Arcade Fire wagon after "Funeral." It was good, but it didn't grab me for repeated listens. But "Neon Bible" is quite compelling.

Man, there has been a torrent of good albums released in the last month or so. Did I say torrent?

Take care,
PK

TheHiddenTrack · Post by **TheHiddenTrack** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:15 am

Spooky wrote: Sounds VERY interesting. Thanks PK.

BTW...I also just picked up a recommendation from here...(can't remember who it was from and am too lazy to look back) but it was for the band Menomena and the album Friend or Foe. Wow! Great stuff, very interesting listen and what a cool produciton!!!

They sound like a cross between TV on the Radio, Flaming Lips, 90 Day Men and Death Cab for Cutie (if that makes any sense at all).

That was me. That album blew me away so I'm glad I've gotten a few people into them.

2007 has been great for music.

Wilco
Modest Mouse
The Shins
The Arcade Fire
Menomena
Andrew Bird
Of Montreal
Electrelane
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!
The Innocence Mission

All solid records.

And I've got a long list of newer bands I'm going through, I'll report back when I find something.